Sharper Image SA251 User manual

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Subwoofer
SA251 Instructions
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Dear Sharper Image Customer,
Thank you for your purchase of a Sharper Image product. We appreciate
your business very much.
Please accept my personal assurance of your complete satisfaction with
this product’s quality and performance. We offer generous return
privileges and excellent warranties on all our products.
For more than 25 years, The Sharper Image has shared the fun of
discovering innovative products that make life better and more enjoy-
able. We’ve been in business a long time because we are an exciting
place to shop and — just as importantly — we strive to deliver great
customer service that exceeds your expectations.
Enjoy your purchase!
Respectfully,
Richard Thalheimer
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Call 1-800-344-4444 for 24-7 ordering and customer service,
or go to , our complete online store.

4
Safety Information ...............................................5
For Safe and Efficient Operation.................................6
Safety Certification ..............................................7
Important Safety Instructions ....................................7
Location of Controls ...........................................14
Installation and Wiring .........................................15
Operation ......................................................19
Troubleshooting.................................................20
Specifications ...................................................22
Warranty........................................................24
Table of Contents

CAUTION: TO AVOID THE HAZARDS OF FIRE OR ELECTRI-
CAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR
OTHER MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT. FULLY INSERT.
•CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Safety Information
5
This symbol indicates that dangerous
voltage constituting a risk of electric
shock is present within this unit.
This symbol indicates that there are
important operating and maintenance
instructions on the literature
accompanying this unit.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
RISK OF ELECTRICAL
SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION:

•TO AVOID THE HAZARDS OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER
MOISTURE.
•CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT. FULLY INSERT.
For Safe and Efficient Operation
•Do not damage power cord.
•When not in use, disconnect the power cord from the outlet.
Grasp the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting the unit.
•If water should enter the unit, electrical shock or malfunction
may result. Use in an area where there is low humidity and
a minimum amount of dust.
•Do not disassemble or alter the unit in any way.
•Do not use the unit in areas where extremes in temperature
occur (below 40°F/5°C or exceeding 95°F/35°C), or where it
may be exposed to direct sunlight.
Safety Information
6

This unit is made and tested to meet exacting safety standards.
It meets CSA and UL requirements and complies with safety
performance standards of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
CAUTION: USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PER-
FORMANCE OF PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECI-
FIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPO-
SURE. THIS UNIT SHOULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OR REPAIRED
BY ANYONE EXCEPT QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
•Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions
should be read before the unit is operated.
•Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions
should be retained for future reference.
•Heed Warnings — All warnings on product and in the operat-
ing instructions should be adhered to.
•Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions
should be followed.
Safety Certification
7

•Cleaning — Unplug the unit from wall outlet before cleaning. Do
not use liquid or aerosol cleansers. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
•Attachments — Do not use attachments not recommended by
the manufacturer as they may cause hazards.
•Water and Moisture — Do not use the unit near water (bath-
tub, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swim-
ming pool, etc.)
•Accessories — Do not place the unit on an unstable cart,
stand, tripod, bracket or table. The unit may fall, causing serious
injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the unit. Use
only with a cart, stand, tripod bracket or table recommended by
the manufacturer or sold with the unit. Any mounting of the
unit should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and should
use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
•A unit and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the unit
and cart to overturn.
Portable Cart Warning
(Symbol provided by RETAC)
S3125A
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
8

•Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided
for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product
as well as to protect it from overheating. These openings must
not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the unit on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar
surfaces. Unit should not be placed in a built-in installation
such as bookcases or racks unless proper ventilation is provided
or the manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.
•Power Source — The unit should be operated only from the
type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are
not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult the
unit’s dealer or your local power company. For products
intended to operate from battery power or other sources, refer
to the operating instructions.
•Grounding or Polarization — To prevent electric shock, match
the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot of the outlet, then
fully insert. This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way.
This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully
into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail
to fit, contact your local electrician to replace your obsolete out-
let. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
9

•Alternate Warnings — This unit is equipped with a three-wire
grounding-type plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin. This
plug will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a
safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the out-
let, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do
not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug.
•Power Cord Protection — Power-supply cord should be rout-
ed so it is not likely to be walked on or pinched by items
placed upon or against it, paying particular attention to cords at
plugs, convenience receptacles (e.g. standard A/C wall outlets)
and the point where they exit from the unit.
•Lightning — For added protection during a lightning storm, or
when unit is left unattended and unused for long periods of
time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna
or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due
to lightning and power surges.
•Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside antenna or
cable system is connected to the product, be sure the antenna
or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection
against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Article 810 of
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
10

the National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides informa-
tion with regard to proper grounding of the mast and support-
ing structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna dis-
charge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna
discharge unit, connections to grounding electrodes and
requirements for the grounding electrode.
EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING
AS PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, ANSI/NFPA 70
S2898A
NEC - National Electrical Code
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
11
ANTENNA LEAD
IN WIRE
ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT
(NEC SECTION 810-20)
GROUNDING CONDUCTORS
(NEC SECTION 810-21)
POWER SERVICE GROUNDING
ELECTRODE SYSTEM
(NEC ART 250, PART H)
ELECTRIC SERVICE
EQUIPMENT
GROUND
CLAMP
GROUND CLAMPS

•Power Lines — An outside antenna system should not be
located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric
light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power
lines or circuits. When installing an outside antenna system,
extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such
power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal.
•Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords
or integral convenience receptacles (e.g. standard A/C wall
outlets) as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
•Object and Liquid Entry — Never push objects of any kind
into this unit through openings as they may touch dangerous
voltage points or short out parts that could result in fire or elec-
tric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on or in the product.
•Servicing — Do not attempt to service this product yourself
as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous
voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
12

•Damage Requiring Service — Unplug unit from the wall outlet
and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the fol-
lowing conditions:
•When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
•If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the
product.
•If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
•If the product does not operate normally by following the
operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions as an improper
adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will
often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to its normal operation.
•If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
•When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
•Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required,
be sure the service technician has used replacement parts spec-
ified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as
the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock or other hazards.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
13

•Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to
this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks
to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
•Heat — The product should be situated away from heat
sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other prod-
ucts (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Location of Controls
Figure 1.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
14

•Low level (RCA) input for systems that feature a subwoofer output.
•Universal input (speaker level) allows compatibility with systems
that do not have subwoofer outputs (must have easily accessi-
ble speaker output terminals).
•Volume control.
•Bass Reflex design for extended low-frequency and low distortion.
•Blue LED power indicator.
Installation and Wiring
Caution: Before performing any of the procedures below, face the
rear view of the subwoofer and make sure that the level control is
rotated counterclockwise to the minimum position and make sure
that the AC power cord is not plugged into the wall socket.
Location of Controls
15

For Units with RCA Subwoofer
Figure 2.
Installation and Wiring
16

1. Connect one end of the included RCA cable to the low-level
input on the unit.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the subwoofer output
on the stereo system. (See Figure 2.)
Installation and Wiring
17

For Units with Speaker Terminal Outputs and No
Subwoofer Output
Figure 3.
Installation and Wiring
18

1. If the stereo system does not have a subwoofer output, check
to see if there is a speaker output terminal in the back.
2. Connect the speaker wire parallel to the speaker output on
the stereo system as shown.
3. Connect the other end of the speaker wire to the universal input
(speaker level input) on the unit as shown. (See Figure 3.)
Operation
1. Once the unit is plugged in and connected to a sound
source, rotate the volume control to the minimum level.
2. Flip the ON/OFF switch ON. The blue LED in front of the
unit illuminates.
3. Turn the sound source’s power on and begin play.
4. When sound is playing at a comfortable level, slowly turn the
volume control up until an acceptable amount of low fre-
quency (bass) is reached.
Caution: If the unit makes distorted sounds and mechanical
noises, turn the volume down.
Installation and Wiring
19

5. Adjust the volume of the unit to achieve a good balance
between the high and midrange output of the stereo system
and the bass output of the subwoofer.
6. After this initial adjustment, the output of the unit automatically
tracks the volume adjustments of the stereo system.
To maximize the bass output, we recommend placing the sub-
woofer in the corner of the room whenever possible.
Troubleshooting
No operation
•Check the AC plug. Reconnect if necessary.
•Make sure the unit is on. Blue LED will illuminate if the unit is on.
No output or low output
•Check the RCA cable. Reconnect if necessary.
•Check the speaker wire connections, paying attention to the
polarity of the connections. Reconnect if necessary.
Operation
20